During a time of great turmoil in Argentina, the now Pope Francis was accused of not protecting leftist clergy, some of whom were killed by right-wing death squads (Christian Century, Sept. 18). After that period, he gave tirelessly in service to the priests and people who lived and worked in the notorious slums of Argentina. Recently Pope Francis made one of his famous personal calls to a rehab center celebrating their fifth anniversary and left this message, “Don’t let them steal your hope.”

Last night I was sitting with a friend, sharing a meal and she informed our little dinner group that she was being furloughed on Friday. This friend is a therapist at a veteran center working with some of the most damaged broken veterans in our community.

Suddenly the government shutdown was more than a distant conversation. Another person sitting at the table who works for the VA talked about having all travel canceled — that means the VA social workers who support community events targeting help for veterans will not be allowed to attend or transport veterans to “stand downs.” Their work of VA social workers is hard enough; this directive is like deploying soldiers into a forward area and not giving them the tools to win the battle.

I understand not having enough funds to provide adequate resources, Shelter Care faces that struggle every day, and during the summer we considered a furlough plan for everyone. Gratefully between the summer appeal, a generous donor and some funds being returned from the city of Rockford, we made it through.

The idea of reducing the salaries of our staff members even a little caused me great suffering. These are folks who are dedicated to our programs, serving the most fragile people living in our community committed beyond their paychecks. Yet the Shelter Care staffs also pay rent, buy bread and have to keep the lights on just like the people we elect.

I prayed endlessly and worked endlessly to find another way to manage our debt ceiling — I cannot fathom how the people we elected can stand in such righteousness about holding the moral high ground when families and individuals will suffer and perhaps leave jobs where they are treated as though their contribution is insignificant. Morale is taking a hit — yet I have a message for them, the one from Pope Francis, “Don’t let them steal your hope.”

Least I speak the sacred calf in the room, Affordable Health Care, which is akin to the Civil Rights Movement and the overthrowing of Jim Crow. Let’s remember how hard people fought to save Jim Crow, so let’s move on. To those we elected — roll up your sleeves, give up the hard line and work together for the good of this nation.

Page 2 of 2 - For us, the rank and file — we can take action, write letters to your elected officials, to your local newspapers and attend town hall meetings. Yes, they can steal your paychecks, programs that fund food subsidies for at-risk individuals and families, funding to run our programs. Yet most importantly no matter what, remember the words of Pope Francis “Don’t let them steal your hope.”